First time First Class

[geoffl]

Up until a couple of years ago I spent more than 50% of my time travelling, and our Company supplied J Class Tickets for Flights over 4 hours. The best thing I learnt during that time was the upgrade from J to F is usually minimal, particularly throughout Asia, and if your trip is Business related, the payment differential is 100% Tax deductable, and comes directly off your personal tax at tax time. So, if only part of your income is at the hihest tax level, the Government in effect picks up 48.5% of the cost, when you pay the upcharge and claim it as a business related expense at years end.

 

[ronone69]

I fly F class when ever I fly international or domestic in the US. J class in AUS.

I have flown in the SQ suites, SQ normal F, QF new F, CX new and old F, TG new and old F, AA domestic F, US domestic F

There is a world of difference between F and J and Y. SQ are the best in F, consistent, attentive but not over the top. I actually thought my one flight on the SQ A380 F class was not as good as others on the old 747's but the but the bed is the most comfortable I have slept in on a plane. QF is the most inventive with it menu. I am not a Neil Perry fan, but the food lately on QF F has been pretty good - can't always say the same for the service. The new QF F lounges in Melb and Syd and LA are very good - comparable to SQ in T3 in SIN, TG in BKK and CX in HKG.

When we travel with the kids they are in J or Y - depending on the length of the flight. If there are seats, we ask the crew if they can join us for landing in F as it makes like easier when we depart the plane. Otherwise, 1 visit per flight is enough. Most of my family travel is using QF points.

I agree it is an indulgence. But I figure I am worth it

 

[vt01]

I have travelled FC on QF and all through upgrades from J. The routes I have done are
SYD-HKG
SYD-BKK
SYD-LHR
SYD-LAX
The main reasons for doing this were:
1. Initially to try it
2. No fuel fines on using points for upgrades
3. To get a decent sleep. As much as skybed is great for day time travel, I just can't sleep on the sloping bed
4. Better food and wine
5. Indulgence.. Once you travel FC, you'll always want to travel FC!

Once I burned all my QF points and could no longer upgrade, I started flying QF codeshares on BA as their J class seat is completely flat. Their new J is even better. I particularly like the foot rest.

I too have wondered how to get the whole family into FC. But after doing a few long haul Y flights recently, bringing me back down to earth, J will do just fine!

 

[craven morehead]

I agree !!! J will do any day over Y but as you suggest F is bloody "F"antastic

I arived 2 days ago in NRT after flying F fron LHR with BA and there was a 2 hour delay for engineering work which had to be completed thru the ceiling of the F cabin before we could board. All J & Y passengers had already been herded on and had to wait... and to compound their misery when we arrived at NRT only the F class luggage had made it :!: BA ex terminal 5 are still a joke :!::!::!:

"Indulgence without Arrogance" :mrgreen:

 

[FirstClass]

Making brief business-related visits to faraway timezones demands arrival in fully functioning order. That dictates the necessity en route for lengthy periods of reasonable quality sleep. Given that at 50 y.o. the rigours of whY are out of the question, one should have thought J an appropriate class of conveyance. Being stuck on the QFF treadmill however one soon learns that the QF J class 'skybed' is in fact an instrument of torture ingeniously designed to inflict sleep deprivation by inducing a terrifying sensation of desperately clinging to a cliff face (complete with rocks sticking in ones back...a nicely authentic touch). Sliding to the skybed foot 'rest' in a crumpled heap can only be avoided by a vigorous thrusting of specially sharpened toenails into the pockets conveniently sewn into the fabric of the J class seat face.
This experience soon compels justification of the expenditure of vast sums to ride in the antiquated F class cabin with its lay-flat 'bed' (that roughly approximates J class on more civilized airlines).
Beyond the flat 'bed' there are a couple of lesser benefits to the F cabin such as the reduced probability of travelling with raucous infants and their malodorous (and possibly also raucous) parents. One also suspects the F class air may contain a reduced concentration of infectious airborne microbes. Access to a hanging locker for ones clothing rather than crumpling it into the overhead locker or simply perspiring into it for 30 hours at a stretch is a definite plus. Two WC's in close proximity to each of the 14 (all aisle) seats is an occasional relief.

As for food and drink, it is obviously impossible to provide edible food on an aeroplane at any price and trying to get your moneys worth by quaffing copious quantities of the room temperature champagne will cause you to arrive feeling exactly as if you had ridden all the way in Y class.

So, dear reader, whereas F might be an indulgence on some airlines I assure you that's not the case with the Flying Kangaroo which is after all for many the principal vehicle of initiation to our egalitarian way of life Downunder.

 

[Alanslegal]

I had my very first First Class experience (if I can call it that) just over 24hours ago in the Cathay Pacific new first class suites from a MNL to HKG flight. [So now I'm no longer a first class virgin LOL ]

The long story cut short, my MNL-HKG flight was delayed meaning I had a tight connecting flight in HKG to BKK. I advised the CSM of this who said we'll do what we can to help you make your flight. She had a quick think and said ""I'll put you into First Class"". I got out of their new generation business class seats on the upper deck and make my way into the empty First class cabin. She said I could take ANY seat LOL.

As the First cabin was empty (I believe they do not sell First on this flight) I had the whole cabin to myself. Wow wow wow.

Then when I made my connecting CX flight HKG-BKK with minutes to spare, it made my upper deck J seat loooked and feel SO CRAMPED!!!

Ps. My luggage missed that connection though - but it has arrived safely to me in the end.

 

[straitman]

I had my very first First Class experience (if I can call it that) just over 24hours ago in the Cathay Pacific new first class suites from a MNL to HKG flight. [So now I'm no longer a first class virgin LOL ]

Then when I made my connecting CX flight HKG-BKK with minutes to spare, it made my upper deck J seat loooked and feel SO CRAMPED!!!

Ps. My luggage missed that connection though - but it has arrived safely to me in the end.

Great one Alanslegal.

 

[Will]

Up until a couple of years ago I spent more than 50% of my time travelling, and our Company supplied J Class Tickets for Flights over 4 hours. The best thing I learnt during that time was the upgrade from J to F is usually minimal, particularly throughout Asia, and if your trip is Business related, the payment differential is 100% Tax deductable, and comes directly off your personal tax at tax time. So, if only part of your income is at the hihest tax level, the Government in effect picks up 48.5% of the cost, when you pay the upcharge and claim it as a business related expense at years end.

Isn't the top rate 45c in the dollar?

 

[Optics]

Isn't the top rate 45c in the dollar?

Yes it is, but you may as well call it 46.5c in the dollar as you need to include the medicate levy. A couple of years ago (can't remember when exactly) it was 48.5c in the dollar (47c tax plus the medicare levy).

But when you are paying this much, the difference between 45% and 47% is minimal, its still a rip-off :evil:.

 

[gphamor]

I had the opportunity of flying F on a trip to South America with my wife, with Qantas.
Unfortunately there weren't 2 J seats available on FF points so I bought 1 F and 1 Y.
The idea was for one of us to indulge on the way over and the other on the return leg.
There were plenty of vacant F seats on the first leg which stopped in AKL and the purser was happy for me to occupy an F seat so I could be with my wife. However there was a different purser on the leg from AKL to Buenos Aires and although there were still plenty of empty seats I was told very smartly to get back to my Y seat.
At least I got a taste of F for the return leg - beats J hands down imho.

 

[rhjames]

I've flow FC with Qantas many times (PT upgrades), though not for a couple of years, and once with Cathay. I thought QF was looking fairly tired, but perhaps it's improved. Cathy was special - I was the only one in FC, with three lovely girls to look after me. I set up and area on the floor where I did my pushups, situps and stretching (between sips of champas).

I'm lucky to sleep easily on planes. As much as I like FC, I don't think I could ever justify the cost if it comes out of my pocket. The reality is that it might cost an additional $14,000. If someone offered me $14,000 to sit in a chair for 24 hours with a video, music, books and all meals provided, and I can get up and go for a short walk when I like, I'll take the $14,000. $580/h isn't bad money for me. I occasionally use business on long haul if it's a special deal.

 

[NYCguy]

I'm lucky to sleep easily on planes. As much as I like FC, I don't think I could ever justify the cost if it comes out of my pocket.

There is absolutely no way I could sleep in economy. Being able to lay flat and sleep for 7 hours of a 14 hour flight makes it worth every single cent.

 

[Tooner]

There is absolutely no way I could sleep in economy. Being able to lay flat and sleep for 7 hours of a 14 hour flight makes it worth every single cent.

Which is the reason business travel usually starts in J (although in the current environment...). If you are expected to be refreshed and ready to function in, say London at 9am, you will need to have had a sleep in reasonable comfort.

Y benches do not provide any decent sleep. I haven't had enough experience of J seats to be able to comment other than the flatter they are the better I sleep. I have slept in F twice and slept very well. I generally only would travel Y for leisure, which these days means kids. Travelling with one or more children prevents sleep anyway.

 

[rhjames]

Which is the reason business travel usually starts in J (although in the current environment...). If you are expected to be refreshed and ready to function in, say London at 9am, you will need to have had a sleep in reasonable comfort.

I agree - I often fly firect to USA andr Europe, and go straight to work. If I'm on business, I won't fly economy for anything over 8 hours, though could consider daytime flight if worth my while. Red eye to Asia must be at least business.

I would never expect or accept 1st class - just can't justify the additional cost no matter who is paying. (of course I never knock back free upgrades)